Swim shorts occupy the blessed sweet spot between barely-there budgie smugglers and achingly uncool ‘broski’ boardshorts. And it gets better. Not only are swim shorts the ultimate balancing act of beachwear, but they complement a wide bracket of body types – whether you’re tall, stacked, short or Henry VIII himself, there’s sure to be a pair that’ll suit.

Swim shorts weren’t always the bona fide staple, though. In 1860, when nude bathing was outlawed – Victorian sexual repression at its finest – caleçons, or pantaloons, became a popular option. That said, wool was the preferred fabric, which, unshockingly, made for a poor pool-proof choice.

Over the years, male swimwear saw various full-length iterations (including a unitard in the 1920s that wouldn’t look out of place on a nineties wrestler), up until the 1960s when shorter cuts were pioneered. From there, the seventies saw the introduction of even shorter men’s shorts – promiscuous hippies, gotta love ’em – that quickly entailed swimwear and et voila, the concept of modern swim shorts was born.

But in addition to swerving a woollen gusset, there are other things to look out for when buying swim shorts today. “Not only should style and fit be considered, but also comfort,” says Federico Uribe, managing partner and creative director of luxury swimwear brand 209 Mare. “The inner mesh shouldn’t be cotton – and neither should the drawstring cord – as this will roughen as the fibres begin to age.”

What’s more, remember that the devil is in the detail. “When it comes to the finer points of swim shorts, avoid plastic detailing – not only is it cheap, but it also looks cheap. Another tell-tale sign of quality is a simple slit in the shorts for a waistband cord exit – this should be a proper chrome eyelet.”

All of which are important if you’ve got the budget to spend. But if there’s less cash to play with, there are some universal tips that should apply to every price point. “Swim shorts should be able to carry you through the entire day,” says Uribe. “Monotone shorts that sit on the mid-thigh are more versatile, so pair them with a white or pastel-coloured shirt.” Important advice if you fancy yourself more a Daniel Craig as James Bond than Moby Dick. And this summer, these are the only options to consider.